08:45 Welcome to Corporate Secretary’s Canada Forum 2020

09:00 How can the board be ready for the next crisis? Emerging stronger from Covid-19

Overseeing crisis management and business continuity planning is a key function of the board. This session will explore the ways in which governance professionals can help their boards be successful in this role, and prepare their companies to navigate turbulent times.

 How are boards managing through a crisis such as the pandemic?  What should boards be considering now in terms of planning for future disruptions?  Where can governance teams add the most value to business continuity planning and the board’s oversight?

Amy Freedman, CEO, Kingsdale Advisors

Brigitte Catellier, vice president, corporate governance and corporate secretary, Meridian Credit Union and Motus Bank

Matthew Langford, corporate counsel, SSR Mining

Ben Maiden, editor-at-large, Corporate Secretary

10:00 Lessons learned from AGMs and managing the evolution to virtual

This session will explore what the rise in use of virtual AGMs means going forward, and how companies can best emulate in-person experiences and meetings.

 What lessons can we draw from the widespread use of virtual AGMs? Are they here to stay?  How can companies address concerns around the governance, regulation and conduct of virtual AGMs?  How can virtual engagement be best deployed elsewhere in the business? What are some tips and tricks for best approximating a live experience virtually?

Carolyn Hadrovic, vice president and corporate secretary, Air Canada

Cathy Conlon, head of corporate issuer strategy, Broadridge

Nizam Hasham, general counsel and assistant corporate secretary, Canadian Pacific Railway

Simon Bryan, managing director, Americas, Lumi

Ben Maiden, editor-at-large, Corporate Secretary

11:00 Moving forward on ESG: how the pandemic has impacted ESG reporting & engagement?

Contrary to some expectations, the Covid-19 pandemic appears to have only reinforced the importance of ESG issues for many investors, and the need for companies to address these.

 How has Covid-19 affected investor focus on ESG concerns?  How can companies best tackle reporting around human capital management and climate change?  What shareholder engagement issues should governance teams be targeting?

Kathleen Keller-Hobson, corporate director, Premium Brands Holdings Corporation and Greater Toronto Airports Authority

Melanie Adams, VP& head, corporate governance & responsible investment, RBC Global Asset Management Neil Stewart, director of corporate outreach, SASB

Ben Maiden, editor-at-large, Corporate Secretary

12:00 Interactive Sessions: Roundtable Discussions

Join our live, interactive roundtable discussion to share ideas and best practice on the biggest future trends for governance professionals. This session really benefits from participation so don’t be afraid to switch your audio and video on or comment in the chat box. Enjoy!

Improving efficiency in your governance team: future trends Corporate secretaries and governance professionals continue to face growing demands, which they must meet often with little or no additional resources. This session will look to the future and discuss how they can run their teams more efficiently moving forward.

 What are some of the latest ways to improve operational efficiency in legal, governance and corporate secretaries’ teams?  Where can technology and automation be best deployed and can AI help?  What lessons can the board take away from the pandemic in terms of how it operates?

12:45 Diversity and inclusion: working with the board and beyond

The need is growing for greater diversity at the board level, and across management and workforces in general. This has been accelerated by the unequal social effects of Covid-19, and greater investor interest in diversity as an indicator of better corporate performance.

 How can governance professionals work with boards to increase diversity?  Can and should diversity metrics be part of executive and board compensation?  What corporate reporting should governance teams be developing around diversity?

Dottie Schindlinger, executive director, Diligent

Marlon Hylton, chair, CEO pledge committee, BlackNorth Initiative

Naveen Mehta, chief legal officer, MESH/diversity

Ben Maiden, editor-at-large, Corporate Secretary

13:45 People power: prioritizing the new focus on human capital

Human capital management has taken on renewed importance as a result of Covid-19 with companies looking at talent management and retention, and simply keeping employees safe. This session will look at the issues boards need to be considering, and how governance teams can help.

 How should boards be approaching human capital as a risk management priority?  What role should boards play in ensuring talent management, retention and training are implemented effectively? How will Covid-19 and the market downfall affect this going forward?  What is the role of the corporate secretary in human capital management?  In what areas are we seeing an uptake in social impact activities, for example in ESG, diversity, and health & safety during Covid-19.  How is social impact evolving from philanthropic activities to the impact of business activities on customers, communities and employees?

Brian Shurman, corporate social responsibility manager, Flight Centre Travel Group

Christelle Gedeon, chief legal officer, Aphria

Rani Pooran, senior advisor, social sustainability, BMO Financial Group

Ben Maiden, editor-at-large, Corporate Secretary 14:45 Closing remarks & close of conference